Heathrow starts to introduce cardless and cashless payments technology

Heathrow starts to introduce cardless and cashless payments technology

A cardless and cashless process for passengers has started to be introduced at Heathrow. Plaza Premium Lounges is one of the first businesses at the airport to start using the Alipay payment method across the terminals it operates in. The … Continue reading

A cardless and cashless process for passengers has started to be introduced at Heathrow.
Plaza Premium Lounges is one of the first businesses at the airport to start using the Alipay payment method across the terminals it operates in.

The eWallet payment system based in China claims to provide a secure way to shop and store money.

Transactions are carried out via the Alipay website, either by searching for the outlet name or by scanning a QR code via a mobile phone, tablet or other devices.

Airlines across the world already accepting the electronic payment process include Aeroflot and Emirates.

Payment methods that work in association with Alipay include Visa, Mastercard and American Express. It made its debut in China in 2004 with Zapper being the UK company that facilitates Alipay.

Plaza Premium Lounges can be found in the departures areas of Terminals 2, 4 and 5 and in the arrival areas of Terminals 2, 3 and 4.

Heathrow digital manager Stephen Glenfield said: “We are constantly developing technology to adapt to the diverse needs of our passengers.

“We are delighted that Plaza Premium have become the first independent UK lounge to embrace Alipay, ensuring East Asian customers have a seamless and improved experience every time they travel through Heathrow”.

Amin Amin, UK general manager of Plaza Premium Group, said: “Alipay is already a successful and well-known brand across East Asia and we’re proud to be able to bring the concept to Europe and the UK, but more importantly be the first brand to bring it to London Heathrow airport through our lounges.

“Alipay is a slick, easy and convenient way of paying in an ever-growing technology-led age that is becoming ever-less reliant on cash and card payments and means that passengers that use our services won’t find the need to ensure that they carry various kinds of currency for the destinations that they will visit.”

Ben Walker, commercial director for Zapper UK, added: “The only independent lounges to accept Alipay in the UK, this will enable Chinese tourists travelling both to, from and via London the opportunity to pay and gain entry using their Alipay app.

“By offering a home-from-home payment experience, Zapper’s QR code solution is the ideal way to enable Alipay users to pay quickly and securely for goods and services when travelling.”